Glucosylation of 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone, the key strawberry flavor compound in strawberry fruit

Strawberries emit hundreds of different volatiles, but only a dozen, including the key compound HDMF [4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone] contribute to the flavor of the fruit. However, during ripening, a considerable amount of HDMF is metabolized to the flavorless HDMF β-D-glucoside. Here, we functionally characterize nine ripening-related UGTs (UDP-glucosyltransferases) in Fragaria that function in the glucosylation of volatile metabolites by comprehensive biochemical analyses. Some UGTs showed a rather broad substrate tolerance and glucosylated a range of aroma compounds in vitro, whereas others had a more limited substrate spectrum. The allelic UGT71K3a and b proteins and to a lesser extent UGT73B24, UGT71W2, and UGT73B23 catalyzed the glucosylation of HDMF and its structural homolog 2(or 5)-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5(or 2)-methyl-3(2H)-furanone. Site-directed mutagenesis to introduce single K458R, D445E, D343E, and V383A mutations and a double G433A/I434V mutation led to enhanced HDMF glucosylation activity compared to the wild-type enzymes. In contrast, a single mutation in the center of the plant secondary product glycosyltransferase box (A389V) reduced the enzymatic activity. Down-regulation of UGT71K3 transcript expression in strawberry receptacles led to a significant reduction in the level of HDMF-glucoside and a smaller decline in HDMF-glucoside-malonate compared with the level in control fruits. These results provide the foundation for improvement of strawberry flavor and the biotechnological production of HDMF-glucoside.